writing
Writing is a very important part of our days in kindergarten, and something we spend a significant amount of time talking about and practicing. At the beginning of the year, drawing is the primary form of written expression for most kindergarten students. Students narrate events, express opinions, and provide information by creating detailed drawings. Students also practice writing their names, learn correct letter formation, and begin writing some sight words (i.e. like, can, see).
When students are ready to begin writing simple sentences alongside their illustrations, they often utilize these sight words (i.e. "I like school"). Next, students begin writing the beginning, ending, and middle sounds they hear in words. If a kindergarten student is writing the word "apple," for example, he/she would likely spell it in the following way: "a-p-l." I do not tell students that this spelling is incorrect, because it contains the sounds they hear in the word "apple."
Beginning in January, students write in their journals three or four times each week. Sometimes students are given a prompt to respond to, but often they choose the topic they want to write about. Students are expected to draw a detailed picture and write a complete sentence every time they write in their journal.
Throughout the year, students will gain exposure to and practice in the following kinds of writing:
Kindergarten students are also introduced to basic kinds of punctuation, learn to begin sentences with uppercase letters, and practice leaving appropriate spaces between words in their writing.
When students are ready to begin writing simple sentences alongside their illustrations, they often utilize these sight words (i.e. "I like school"). Next, students begin writing the beginning, ending, and middle sounds they hear in words. If a kindergarten student is writing the word "apple," for example, he/she would likely spell it in the following way: "a-p-l." I do not tell students that this spelling is incorrect, because it contains the sounds they hear in the word "apple."
Beginning in January, students write in their journals three or four times each week. Sometimes students are given a prompt to respond to, but often they choose the topic they want to write about. Students are expected to draw a detailed picture and write a complete sentence every time they write in their journal.
Throughout the year, students will gain exposure to and practice in the following kinds of writing:
- Opinion writing
- Personal narrative
- Informational/explanatory writing
- Responding to literature
Kindergarten students are also introduced to basic kinds of punctuation, learn to begin sentences with uppercase letters, and practice leaving appropriate spaces between words in their writing.